Tucson's Indoor Football franchise has its first coach.
Marcus Coleman, defensive coordinator of the Indoor Football League's Iowa Barnstormers, will be introduced this afternoon in a news conference at a downtown Tucson bar. He will coach the expansion team in its inaugural season starting next spring.
Coleman helped lead the Barnstormers to a United Bowl championship this summer; along the way, Iowa beat the Arizona Rattlers three times.
Coleman is the answer to a clue first provided by Tucson owner Kevin Guy last month. Guy, who doubles as the coach of the Arizona Rattlers, said he had already picked a coach — and that it was somebody he had yet to beat.
"This is a great opportunity for me to bring my experience and philosophy of hard work, mental toughness and physical play as we establish ourselves in this league," Coleman said. "Our team will be exciting to watch, and the goal will always be to win a championship for Tucson."
Coleman, 46, played 10 seasons (1996-2006) as a defensive back with the NFL's Jets, Texans and Cowboys. He was a fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2006 out of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders inducted him into their hall of fame in 2010.
Tucson last month was granted an expansion team in the IFL, which includes the Rattlers, Barnstormers and, recently, the Quad City Steamwheelers. A team name is expected to be announced as soon as next week.
Guy said Coleman fits all of his requirements for a head coach;.
"He has been preparing for this his entire career," Guy said, "and he's is ready for the responsibility and its challenges."
